Impala

wildlife of Namibia

Introduction: Impala (Aepyceros melampus) favour woodlands sheltering an undergrowth of grass or shrubs. They are seldom far away from water, hence their Namibian distribution patterns. They are very common in their range and a characteristic of impala is the attendance of red-billed oxpeckers busily cleaning and generally keeping impala free from ectoparasites, although they do self-groom with their lower incisors to remove ticks.

Diet: Leaves of woody plants and grasses. In summer they eat grass but move on to shrubs and bushes later in the season. Edible fruits and Acacia pods.

Colouring: A reddish-brown coat with white underparts is decorated by a distinctive black band that extends from the rump down the back of the thigh. Tufts of black hair on the lower hindleg cover scent glands.

Breeding: Females give birth to a single juvenile. Gestation periods are around 194-200 days.

Size: Medium sized males and females are around 0.9m at the shoulder. Males only have horns up to 0.7m long. Weight: 40kg.

A four room private camp set inside the Nkasa Rupara National Park. A remote and private location in Namibia's least visited hidden gems of a game park makes this a must visit lodge. The lodge can also be booked for exclusive use on a self catering basis

Located on the banks of the Kwando river in the heart of the Mashi Conservancy, within Bwabwata National Park. This is a sanctuary for more than 35 game species and upwards of 330 bird species. Animals move freely throughout the area which creates a mecca for wildlife viewing

A wonderful lodge in an extremely remote location, this is a must for anyone wanting to get of the beaten track and experience Namibia at her best. Offers game viewing in the Nkasa Rupara (formerly Mamili) National Park and boat trips on the Linyanti River.